Antenatal management and maternal/fetal outcomes associated with hyperglycaemia in pregnancy (HIP) in Uganda; a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Hyperglycaemia in pregnancy (HIP) is associated with complications for both mother and baby. The prevalence of the condition is likely to increase across Africa as the continent undergoes a rapid demographic transition. However, little is known about the management and pregnancy outcomes associated with HIP in the region, particularly less severe forms of hyperglycaemia. It is therefore important to generate local data so that resources may be distributed effectively. The aim of this study was to describe the antenatal management and maternal/fetal outcomes associated with HIP in Ugandan women. METHODS: A prospective cohort study of 2917 pregnant women in five major hospitals in urban/semi-urban central Uganda. Women were screened with oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at 24-28 weeks of gestation. Cases of gestational diabetes (GDM) and diabetes in pregnancy (DIP) were identified (WHO 2013 diagnostic criteria) and received standard care. Data was collected on maternal demographics, anthropometrics, antenatal management, umbilical cord c-peptide levels, and pregnancy outcomes. RESULTS: Two hundred and seventy-six women were diagnosed with HIP (237 classified as GDM and 39 DIP). Women had between one and four fasting capillary blood glucose checks during third trimester. All received lifestyle advice, one quarter (69/276) received metformin therapy, and one woman received insulin. HIP was associated with large birthweight (unadjusted relative risk 1.30, 95% CI 1.00-1.68), Caesarean delivery (RR 1.34, 95% CI 1.14-1.57) and neonatal hypoglycaemia (RR 4.37, 95% CI 1.36-14.1), but not perinatal mortality or preterm birth. Pregnancy outcomes were generally worse for women with DIP compared with GDM. CONCLUSION: HIP is associated with significant adverse pregnancy outcomes in this population, particularly overt diabetes in pregnancy. However pregnancy outcomes in women with milder forms of hyperglycaemia are similar to those with normoglycaemic pregnancies. Intervention strategies are required to improve current monitoring and management practice, and more research needed to understand if this is a cost-effective way of preventing poor perinatal outcomes.

Burden, risk factors and maternal and offspring outcomes of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA): a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The burden, determinants and outcomes of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in sub-Saharan Africa are not known. We summarized existing evidence on the prevalence, risk factors and complications of GDM in the region. METHODS: PubMed was searched from inception to January 31st 2019. Studies were included if carried out in any of the sub-Saharan Africa countries and were available as abstracts or full texts. Interventional studies and those only including qualitative data were excluded. We employed random effects modelling to estimate the pooled GDM prevalence and risk ratios (RRs) for risk factors and outcomes of GDM and their 95%CI. RESULTS: 283 papers were identified in the initial search, 33 of which met the inclusion criteria. Data on GDM burden suggest a pooled prevalence of 9% (95%CI, 7-12%). Family history of type 2 diabetes and previous history of GDM, macrosomia, stillbirth and abortion were important risk factors of GDM. In addition, being overweight or obese, over 25 years of age or hypertensive increased the risk of GDM. In terms of complications, GDM more than doubles the risk macrosomia (RR; 95%CI: 2.2; 1.1-4.4). CONCLUSIONS: There is a high burden of gestational diabetes mellitus in sub-Saharan Africa, but more studies are needed to document locally important risk factors as well as maternal and offspring outcomes. Interventions to reduce obesity among older African women might lead to reduced risk of GDM in sub-Saharan Africa.